Arlington sees Japan secure World Cup draw against Netherlands

By Oliver Harrington — 14 June 2026 — 3 min read

Dramatic Draw in Group F Opener

In a thrilling opening match of Group F at the World Cup in Arlington, Japan secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands. The match, held at the AT&T Stadium, saw Daichi Kamada score an 88th-minute equaliser, denying the Dutch an early victory in what is considered one of the tournament’s tougher groups. The game unfolded on a hot afternoon outside Dallas, providing an unexpectedly lively start to the group stage.

The stadium, described as a vast concrete spaceship, was full, dispelling concerns about empty seats that had been raised in discussions leading up to the tournament. The match itself was a spectacle from the outset, featuring the distinct colours of the Netherlands in warm royal blue and deep orange, and Japan in their blue shirts.

Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side, who have been runners-up in the competition three times, including in 1974, 1978, and 2010, were looking to start their campaign strongly. Japan, coached by Hajime Moriyasu, entered the tournament with ambitions to win the entire competition, having established themselves as a strong World Cup team in recent times. Moriyasu’s tactical setup included attacking midfielders in wingback positions and a back three, an evolution from their approach in Qatar.

First Half Caution and Second Half Action

The initial period of the match was marked by caution from both sides. The Netherlands dominated possession early on, with Donyell Malen having a significant chance just three minutes into the game, his powerful shot being saved by Zion Suzuki. Despite controlling the tempo and geometry of the game, the Dutch struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with 67 per cent possession and twice as many passes by the 34th minute.

Japan, however, also showed moments of promise with neat, high-pressing flurries. Their best chance of the first half came just before the break, a combination down the right flank leading to a shot from Keito Nakamura that went just wide. Moments later, Ayase Ueda found himself in a scoring position after a well-weighted pass, but his shot hit the side-netting.

The second half saw an immediate shift in momentum. Five minutes after the restart, the Netherlands took the lead when Virgil van Dijk headed the ball in off the far post from a cross by Ryan Gravenberch. Tsuyoshi Watanabe protested, claiming he was pushed by Van Dijk, but the goal stood. Japan appeared to lose their composure momentarily, struggling to maintain possession.

However, Japan quickly responded. Seven minutes after conceding, they equalised through Keito Nakamura, who found space to whip a right-foot shot into the corner, aided by a deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke. This goal injected new life into the game, opening up play at both ends of the pitch.

Late Drama and Equaliser

The Netherlands regained the lead in the 64th minute. Crysencio Summerville, receiving the ball from Ryan Gravenberch, glided inside and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner. This marked Summerville’s second goal in just his third senior cap for his country. Japan, much like after the first Dutch goal, regrouped and surged forward once more.

The match culminated in high drama. In the 90th minute, substitute Koki Ogawa rose to head the ball towards goal. The shot took a deflection off Daichi Kamada, catching Bart Verbruggen off guard and sailing into the net for the equaliser. This late goal ensured that Japan snatched a point from the encounter, leaving Group F wide open, especially with Tunisia and Sweden yet to play.

The match was broadcast live in the UK on ITV and ITVX, following the Germany vs Curacao game. The coverage was hosted by Laura Woods, who was joined in the studio by a panel including Roy Keane, Gary Neville, and Ange Postecoglou. Jon Champion provided the lead commentary, alongside Ally McCoist.

Source: theguardian.com